Retro fit HUD

[PaulG9LXY]

Hi all,
Has anybody retro fitted HUD to their car where they have the heated windscreen factory option?

Is it just the HUD unit that needs fitting and wiring in, then a software update by the dealer to add the options in Sensus?

Thanks
Paul

[MOzS90]

I have a HUD and wouldn’t be without one.

I can’t see retro-fitting being easy. You’ll need a whole new dash top for a start to mount the unit into.

As to whether it would work with the heated screen - I’ve always wondered why it’s one of the other?

[PaulG9LXY]

From what I can see, cars without HUD just have a blanking piece where the HUD unit sits. This just comes out with a trim removal tool, leaving a hole for the HUD to drop in.

My local dealer says they don't have an option to retro fit this in their systems, so before I buy a HUD unit, I need to know if it's possible

[SuffolkBoy]

I assume the reason that Volvo do not offer the HUD and heated screen together is that the thin heating elements in the screen would distort the display on the screen.

[PaulG9LXY]

I've used my phone as a temporary HUD and it's barely noticeable. Irrespective, I'd still like to retrofit it, so has anybody else managed this?

[Quacker]

I doubt whether anyone has done this. However, anything is possible and in this case it largely depends on how much money, time and patience you have.
Be the first and tell us all about it.

I would start by finding a scrapped car with the parts all present.

The fly in the ointment is that the display is incompatible with the heated windscreen. There is probably a way around that, for instance you could try fixing a plastic screen on the windscreen where the display projects.

[D3GGY]

I was surprised its an either or since JLR offer it on a heated screen. That said its a different screen required for the HUD as it has a special reflective layer on it from what I understand hence the either or option with Volvo.

[Philip Fisher]

HUD is incompatable with heated screen.

You will need a new HUD non-heated screen. I had a replacement for mine which had cracked and it was a grand.

[PaulG9LXY]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

HUD is incompatable with heated screen.

I keep seeing this but nobody can say why other than the wires in the screen make the HUD display a little distorted. Even my dealers didn't have any technical reason why they can't live side by side.

Before I go down the breakers route and get a unit from a crashed vehicle I just wanted to know of anyone else had attempted it and found out that it was in fact technically, actually, physically impossible to have both.

If nobody can say this then I'll give it a go and find out!

[DocAce]

My understanding is that the reason you cannot have both a HUD and a heated windscreen is not directly because of the wires. Rather it is that with the standard glass you will get a double reflection - one from each surface (interior and exterior) of the windscreen - which would make the image more difficult to read. The windscreen for the HUD is treated to prevent this.

Now, as to why the heated windscreen cannot be treated in the same way I cannot say but would love to find out.